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Physics

Physics

Pair with any bachelor’s degree

Through experiments and measurements, physics helps us understand the connections between everything—from matter and light—to energy and the universe. Widely considered the foundation of all the natural sciences, a background in physics opens the door to a variety of career opportunities.

Program Overview

Physics

Learn about the fundamental laws of the universe through the principles of physics.

Physicists are concerned with understanding the way nature operates: the basic components of the universe and how they interact. Through coursework in astronomy, meteorology, energy and the environment, you’ll learn about motion, force and energy and how to use these concepts to explain everything from the simple motion of a hockey puck to the complexities of quantum mechanics. The program will impart both a fundamental understanding of the principles of physics and the analytical skills you’ll need to enhance a major in any discipline.

Observing motion

Students observe how sand grains move on a flat surface that is exposed to sound waves of different frequencies during a PHYS 200 lab.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

The Physics Minor consists of a minimum of 29 credits:

Course List
Code Title Credits
MATH 151Calculus I (GT-MA1)4
MATH 251Calculus II4
MATH 252Calculus III4
PHYS 320Modern Physics3
Select one of the following pairs of courses:8
PHYS 170
PHYS 185
Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1)
AND
PHYS 171
PHYS 186
Principles of Physics II (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1)
OR
PHYS 190
PHYS 185
General Physics I (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1)
AND
PHYS 191
PHYS 186
General Physics II (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1)
6 credits of the following:6
PHYS 250
Statics
PHYS 251
Dynamics
Or Physics courses number 300 or above
Total Credits29
 Fall (odd years)  Spring (even years)
PHYS 110 Astronomy PHYS 120 Meteorology PHYS 125 Energy and the Environment PHYS 140 Conceptual Physics (with lab) PHYS 170 Introductory Physics I (with lab) PHYS 200 General Physics I (with lab) PHYS 320 Modern Physics PHYS 350 Electricity and Magnetism PHYS 110 Astronomy PHYS 115 Physics of Music PHYS 125 Energy and the Environment PHYS 140 Conceptual Physics (with lab) PHYS 171 Introductory Physics II (with lab) PHYS 201 General Physics II (with lab) PHYS 330 Classical Mechanics
Fall (even years) Spring (odd years)
PHYS 110 Astronomy PHYS 120 Meteorology PHYS 125 Energy the and the Environment PHYS 140 Conceptual Physics (with lab) PHYS 170 Principles of Physics I (with lab) PHYS 200 General Physics I (with lab) PHYS 320 Modern Physics PHYS 462 Astrophysics or PHYS 497 – Special topics PHYS 110 Astronomy PHYS 125 Energy the and the Environment PHYS 140 Conceptual physics (with lab) PHYS 171 Principles of Physics II (with lab) PHYS 201 General Physics II (with lab) PHYS 330 Classical Mechanics

Spotlight

Physics

Eric Loewen

Alumni

“It’s a wonderful thing about Western,” Eric Loewen says, “you learn early on that relationships make the difference.”

Careers

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Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

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Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

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Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

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Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Get Involved

MARS rover

Expand your community and your network.

There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience at Western. Take advantage of these opportunities to advance your career.

  • Competition: Western students built a Mars rover-like robot for NASA’s Colorado Space Grant Consortium Robotics Challenge.
  • Gunnison Valley Observatory: Faculty and students use this sophisticated facility for research and teaching.
  • Independent Projects: Students are encouraged to work on projects and conduct research with Physics faculty.

Building the future

Students look on as at their creation—a self-navigating, Mars-Rover-like robot—competes with similar devices from other colleges at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

News & Research

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Read More about Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission
online courses

Western Colorado University moves summer courses online

Read More about Western Colorado University moves summer courses online

Department Chairperson

Anne W. Ryter, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry

Administrative Assistant

Lori Clement

NES Administrative Assistant

Contact Information

970.943.2015

rbingham@western.edu

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Hurst Hall 128
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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